The schools must meet criteria in five categories: community and business partnerships, family involvement, volunteerism, student community service and school advisory council. They must also be a C or higher, or have a school improvement rating of "maintaining" or "improving."

The state recognized about 700 "Five-Star Schools" for the 2015-16 school year. In Polk, those schools are:

“Family and community involvement is essential to student success, and I am grateful for the parents, caregivers and community members who invest their time in our state’s schools,” Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart said in a statement. “When school leaders and educators engage the community, the result is higher academic achievement and more students prepared for future success.”

Across the Tampa Bay area, more than 90 Hillsborough schools, 24 Pasco schools and 25 Pinellas schools received the recognition.

The school, which has received the recognition for the third year in a row, builds and maintains relationships with parents, businesses and community members by recognizing and appreciating the value they add to students' education.

"We held a recognition day ... we take groups of students out to nursing homes ... we find ways to reach out, give back and teach students about the service learning piece," O'Bryant said. "It's an integral part of everyday life here — our relationship with the community."

"The Five-Star School award ... demonstrates that there is giving relationship between the stakeholders: Students are out cleaning up the city’s cemetery, helping at the community food-bank truck and reading to our Fort Meade elementary school students," Hardee said. "Conversely, parents (and) community members are mentoring students in writing, chaperoning field trips and organizing our academic pep rallies."